Merritt in Blogging Your Arts and Crafts

[Diane Stafford]

If you have ever wondered how you should be blogging about your arts and crafts, then I hope this blog post will encourage you to understand the importance of this often overlooked business tool and traffic generator.

Let's take a look at Richard's blog in "Merritt in Blogging Your Arts and Crafts"

Richards' blog is one of the clearest art and crafts business focused blogs I have come across, take a look via the link above.

His logo is simple, memorable and effective, note the 'ink' in name and image abstract. The blog is of clean clear design and his strap line "writers wanted" is simple genius. Hmmm.. no prizes for guessing what his art and craft is!!

Now on closer look at his blog you should notice that there is nothing fussy, nothing dark, no squiggly design elements, no clutter and absolutely no distractions.

His blog is totally focused on .... yes you go it .... pens!!

The images are of pens, he writes about pens, he twitters about pens, he links to related pens, and he offers tips and advice about pens.

Most importantly, it is clear that he makes and he sells pens!

(what do you mean you noticed)! grin

Now if you have your own blog, take this opportunity to look at it and also take another look at Richard's blog here "Merritt in Blogging Your Arts and Crafts" and simply compare your own blog to his.

Do you have a neat logo, name and strap line?
Is your blog of clean, clear design?
Is your blog too dark, easy or difficult to read, full of squiggly patterns or distractions?
Are your posts helpful and informative to readers?
Are your links relevant to your arts and crafts items?
Are your images well presented?
Is your blog (or website) focused on your arts and crafts items?
Are you doing them justice and are you selling them?

Of course there is a lot going on behind the scenes with keywords and the 'techy stuff', however, the visual and content aspects are what is of interest to your visitors and readers.

Note: there is nothing wrong with 'dark' or even 'squiggly' designs if it suits the blog and product and it is visually attractive and legible for your visitors!

Merit in Blogging Your Arts and Crafts on Art Hobby Crafts Network

Like your own blog or website, your profile on art hobby craft is a 'landing page' for visitors to the network. So take a peek at your profile page here too and see if it needs a facelift.

Also, make sure you can be contacted from your profile page, although I wouldn't recommend you display your email address as you will be deluged with naughty peoples emails!

If you are selling your arts and crafts then at the very least display your blog url, your website url and if you have one, a contact page link or contact telephone number, so that visitors can inquire about purchasing your work.

Last but most certainly not least. To drive more traffic to your own site, you should add regular blog and forum posts here at art hobby crafts, which contain an appropriate signature link back to your own site or to an extended article on your blog. These will provide your blog/site with necessary 'backlinks' and help increase your search engine rankings and improve traffic.

I hope that this little comparison exercise has been helpful to you. If you need clarification on any of these pointers, please ask.

Diane

thanks to Richard Merritt

[Corbin]

Yep!!! Thanks kiddo!!!!!

[Diane Stafford]

I would hate to hazardous a guess as to how much people are willing to pay for blogging and I have absolutely no idea what the art magazines or sites would be willing to pay. Whether it is worth it, even if they do pay well, would depend on how much time you have to blog and how easy blogging/article writing comes to you. You would be better creating your own blog and writing your own articles, selling your own products and adding affiliate product reviews. At least your writing time is your own :-)

There is of course a lot more to it than just 'throwing' up a blog!

Hope that helps? Di :-)

[Corbin]

What do you think about paid blogging for art and craft companies. Is it worth it? Too time consuming or not enough mony paid out to do it? I am trying to find a way to make money blogging but don'tr know the first thing about how you get the affiliates. Blessings!!!

[Diane Stafford]

my pen has arrived in the country and should be delivered to its new home on Friday, dying to get writing and drawing with it.

[Diane Stafford]

[Diane Stafford]

Chris... what can I say! It's looking more like an essential than a wish :-)

[Christina Roper]

Di, These are the pens you told me about.

Now I understand why you have put one on your Xmas Gift List. I'll be adding one to my list too, in very bold letters.